Cowboys sign center Brock Hoffman, elevate Malik Jefferson and Sean McKeon to active roster

The Dallas Cowboys have made some roster moves prior to Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, signing center Brock Hoffman.

The team announced the move via its social media account on Twitter.

In addition to Hoffman signing to the active roster, the Cowboys have elevated linebacker Malik Jefferson and tight end Sean McKeon from the practice squad.

Brock Hoffman was undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the Cleveland Browns following the draft but ended up on the practice squad during the season. He was released midway through his first season, and Dallas scooped him up.

He has been on and off Dallas’ practice squad since.

Jefferson, meanwhile, was elevated from the practice squad and can provide some meaningful production. In four playing seasons in the NFL he has recorded 11 tackles.

McKeon has had minimal NFL production, recording six catches for 38 yards and a touchdown at tight end.

Dallas without Tyron Smith

One of the likely reasons for the Brock Hoffman signing is the fact that Tyron Smith will be out for this week’s game against the Patriots.

Smith was a late addition to the injury report last week and though he warmed up on Sunday, he ended up watching the loss from the sidelines. This week, he didn’t participate in practice from Wednesday through Friday.

Missing three of the five starting linemen on Sunday, the line allowed two sacks on quarterback Dak Prescott. It also gave up five tackles for loss.

The Cowboys had Hoffman, undrafted rookie TJ Bass and free agent pickup Chuma Edoga in as the replacements for Zack Martin, Tyler Biadasz and Smith last weekend. Edoga will once again fill in for the veteran left tackle due to his knee.

“I think they did a nice job — T.J., Brock and Chuma all stepped up,” Martin offered on his teammates on Thursday. “Chuma has been out there this season in different spots, and Brock and T.J. got their real test. I think they stepped up to the plate and did some really nice things for us.”